Dawn and Dusk in Florence

Photographers often find the best light of the day is around sunrise and sunset. I try to get out and take photos during this time, but it can be a challenge. For example, during our summer trip to Italy, the sunrise was at 5:30 a.m. — and sunset was 9:00. Of course, if you want to shoot well into the “blue hour”, that shifts the time earlier in the morning (4:25 — before the sun is up) and later at night (10:00 p.m. or later). If you want to be out during both, well, you’re not getting much sleep. That’s what you get for visiting around the longest days of the year.

Still, I tried my best to be awake during one of these times each day. It wasn’t easy — it was a vacation, after all! Here’s a few photos from the trip.